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2021 could be a huge year for Detroit Lions tight end T.J. Hockenson. Though he’s already coming off a Pro Bowl season, many are expecting him to take his game to a new level this upcoming season. With a new offensive system in place, a burgeoning relationship with quarterback Jared Goff, and a shortage of other receiving options around him, Hockenson could be one of the centerpieces of this offensive attack.
NFL.com’s Nick Shook is predicting big things for Hockenson’s future too, as he listed the Lions tight end on his 2021 All-Under-25 Team, featuring only players who will be under 25 years old when the regular season kicks off on September 9.
“For now, he’s the best tight end under 25, and it might not be long before he’s considered one of the premier players at the position, regardless of age,” Shook wrote.
No other Lions made the list, but one other was considered. Punter Jack Fox, currently 24 years old, was nearly the selection, but Shook went, instead, with Patriots punter Jake Bailey, who was first-team All Pro last year.
You can view the entire All-Under-25 team here.
- Tim Twentyman of DetroitLions.com listed the three biggest questions facing all four NFC North teams as they head towards training camp.
- In Tuesday’s notes, I mentioned how both D’Andre Swift and Jamaal Williams did an excellent job avoiding negative runs. PFF drove that point home on Tuesday with these pair of tweets—while noting how much better Williams was compared to Adrian Peterson:
RB D'Andre Swift ranked 10th with a 7.0%
— PFF DET Lions (@PFF_Lions) June 23, 2021
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RB Adrian Peterson ranked last (out of 47 RBs) with a 12.9% https://t.co/DZDBK17Gen
- A couple other sites looked at the free agency scrap to see who could help the Lions in 2021. Chris Burke of The Athletic went position-by-position and listed a few names under each that Detroit could add. Meanwhile, Jeff Risdon of Lions Wire listed 16 free agents he’d consider for the Lions.
- On Tuesday, the Detroit Pistons won the NBA Lottery, earning the No. 1 pick in the 2021 draft. Lions cornerback Jeff Okudah is already hitting up the presumptive pick:
— Jeff Okudah (@jeffokudah) June 23, 2021
- Happy birthday to our favorite facemask breaker: